May is motorcycle safety awareness month, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has been discussing ways in which motorcyclists can prevent crashes.

The Department of Transportation found that 100 motorcyclists in Wisconsin are killed each year. These deaths occur for many reasons, including distracted drivers, motorcyclists not wearing helmets, and even road defects. May can be an especially tricky month for motorcyclists when navigating the roads because it is the month when snow thaws and potholes become exposed.

The Department of Transportation also stresses the importance of wearing helmets when riding a motorcycle. One study found that helmets can prevent 37 percent of the deaths of motorcyclists.